Oi, don't get me started on HiFi. I try very hard not to get too deep into HiFi. I've had arguments with a friend about how the $800 per meter cables with ultra 99.9999999% pure Copper are no better than the $150 cables, but he won't have it. He drops $6,500 on a McIntosh tube amp at the drop of a hat because it's supposed to sound slightly warmer than the one he already has. I've got a $100 Schiit DAC, a $100 Schiit headphone amp, and a $150 pair of "ChiFi" IEMs and I am happy. I spent a little bit more on my media system, but that's because I love the sound separation for movies. Audio is one of the most subjective hobbies around, and that's a blessing and a curse.
Other than cars, my main expensive hobby is photography. The expenditures are fewer and further between than the car stuff, but it's like swallowing a horse pill when I buy something. My idea for a PC was to build a modest beast and then don't upgrade until I absolutely need to.
HAHA......I don't mind spending money on expensive parts, but even then I draw the line at some of the stuff which is like WTF??.....Its chasing that last 5% performance which costs £££££££££.
I used to modify my old hi-fis & do improvements for mates hi-fi-& rebuild speakers. Designed & built my own cross-overs, & hand wound my own air cored inductors.
Still have to strip down, re-foam the cones & re cap the amp of my parents old B&O system....nice 80's design!......
I went digital a few years ago & just have a Denon amp, network player (can play 24bit 192kHz) & CD player. All my music is CD & most copied onto FLAC on a USB stick. However I started buying studio masters from the original record labels......& yes the difference between "compressed" CD (16bit at 44.1kHz) & 20 or 24bit at 90, 96 or 192kHz....is astounding! Specially since I heavily modified my Monitor Audio speakers!....£8 to £16 for a capcitor...& I needed 6 of them..or £10 for an inductor & I needed 2 of.....£6 for a mills resistor & I needed 4.....a bit expensive, but cheap compared to the top end stuff! However, better build & tolerance that the basic factory stuff to make the cross overs behave as they should & the speakers produce far clearer sound!
Photography....yeah......just...I live within 1hrs drive of one of the best "toy" shops in the UK......Most of the UK photography pros shop there. The second hand stock & new stock is huge & comprehensive....& every time I get invites when the reps are there & doing deals I usually melt my credit cards!...bar stewards!!...